The first F30 3 Series facelift / LCI (Life Cycle Impulse) prototype has just been spotted! Due to start production in the Summer of 2015, the refreshed 3 Series will undergo minor exterior changes as the photos show. The most significant change will be seen in the front end, which will feature a restyled front bumper, deeper inset headlights (from the beefier bumper design) and shapelier kidney grilles featuring 11 slats.

*IF* BMW stays true to its LCI-refresh history, the facelift 3 Series will also feature new LED tail lights. The lack of any camouflage on the rear lights could possibly signal that there will be no changes to the tail lights, however.

[Updated 7/11/14]: While the exterior changes will be minor, significant changes will take place under the hood and with the model's nomenclature. According to our latest info, the 335i will become the 340i with the LCI refresh while having its N55 engine replaced by the B58 engine. The 328i will become the 330i and have its N20 engine replaced by the B48 engine.

[Updated 8/6/14]: More photos of the F30 and F31 LCI facelift prototypes added.

Isn't it a bit early to see facelifted cars in the wild if they will arrive late 2015?
They won't need to test new bumpers for 18 months, maybe the bumper is needed to fit everything for the new engines though.

Isn't it a bit early to see facelifted cars in the wild if they will arrive late 2015?
They won't need to test new bumpers for 18 months, maybe the bumper is needed to fit everything for the new engines though.

It does seem a little early, but as you pointed out the new engines are almost certainly the reason behind it being so early.

Same time frame, it's just the current 3 is so good looking I don't feel anyone is longing for a quick for a refresh. (e90 pre lci tails anyone? yuck!) At least they released the motors correctly this time. Imagine in the e46 or e90 days... it you bought a 323i/328i or 325i/330i... your engine was outdated in 2 years! :O For e46 coupe's 323ci/328ci only existed for 1 year... 2000!

Isn't it a bit early to see facelifted cars in the wild if they will arrive late 2015?
They won't need to test new bumpers for 18 months, maybe the bumper is needed to fit everything for the new engines though.

But they do.

Eg. the X3 - the facelifted LCI model has just been introduced & is arriving in the showrooms in the next weeks yet first spy photos of camoed LCI X3 emerged in October 2012. So, 1.5 years before the sales launch.

Same case with 1er hatch. First spy photos of LCI 1er were available in May 2013, while the facelifted model will be launched in Fall 2014 - so 1.5 years later.

Do the math.

3er LCI is coming as planned ... with sales launch in Fall 2015.

Btw, such extensive testings are usually performed due to eg. new engines on board, or eg. new fine tuning done to the steering, gearbox, suspension etc., or due to some new ConnectedDrive stuff on board, or due to some new active safety features etc. It depends ... But even for LCI models an extensive testing period is scheduled and has to be done before production start & launch.

What was the deal with the B series engines now? New injectors and a higher standard output?

Quite subtle changes. Please let there be an LED headlight option. Maybe we'll get an M performance model who knows.

Kind of disappointed to see the diesels aren't getting an update, BMW were leagues ahead of the competition in Diesel engines 4+ years ago, now nearly everything from the VAG group is catching up the 2 litres diesels with better refinement. Merc isn't far away from having a 300bhp diesel 6 and Audi's bi turbo 6 is up there with BMW...

Hopefully the B series diesels aren't that far away. It would be good to see the 320d getting close to 200bhp, the 325d getting closer to 250bhp and 6 cylinder 330d and 335d being updated to closer to to 300 and 350bhp respectively. It would of course be nice to see the new version of the Tri Turbo diesel come to the UK in something other than a huge 4x4.